Nation : U.S. Greenhouse Stand Dropped

WASHINGTON — The Bush Administration suffered an embarrassing setback today when foreign delegates to a U.S.-sponsored global warming conference demanded withdrawal of U.S. proposals for more research on climate changes and their economic effects.

“We’ve disavowed it. It has no status,” William Reilly, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a conference delegate, told Reuters, speaking of the package of U.S. proposals.

The United States has lobbied for a delay in setting new limits on emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons.

U.S. officials distributed a package of proposed initiatives during conference sessions, essentially seeking only improved international communication and coordination of scientific and economic research on global climate change. But one portion took the form of a draft resolution offered in the name of all delegations. Foreign delegates revolted, believing the proposals to be a U.S. attempt to paper over differences.

“Unfortunately it was witlessly worded to suggest it represents a consensus,” Reilly said. “We regret it created the impression it did.”